Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread - Proverbs 30:8

Friday, January 31, 2014

This is Beauty

One of my instagram challenges this week was "this is beauty". To be honest with you, I haven't felt like I've seen much beauty this week. With no weekend adventure or epic hike, and with gray skies and a week mostly at home, beauty is harder to find.

But when you look for it, it can be found.

Here are 5 random places I've found beauty this week.....


 1. This is beauty....this is hope....this is truth....this is life....this is God's word. We deserve death, but God gives us life! (Ephesians 2:4)






2. Beauty in my backyard. When my bird feeder has seed, I have beautiful backyard visitors. I love watching all the different birds visit. Our birdseed has run out and I need to make a point to get more this weekend.






3. This is Esther....my beautiful, new Compassion daughter from Uganda. I've been reading the stories the Compassion bloggers have been posting all week, and when I realized I didn't sponsor a child from Uganda, I felt a nudging to check the available children. I made a deal with myself to sponsor the very first child I saw and this beautiful girl is her. It helps that her name is Esther...my grandma's name. You can read more about the story here if you want. Sponsorship is a beautiful thing and I'm honored God has allowed us to partner with Him through this experience.



4. My oldest is growing up so quickly. She's taken a new interest in preparing breakfast every morning for herself, her sister and sometimes even me. I love letting her experiment and grow in this way. I love seeing her become more responsible and independent. She is a beautiful girl.


5. Another instagram challenge - the theme was pastels. I much prefer bright colors, but found just enough pastels in my home to create this collage.  A beautiful little clay sculpture created by my girl, colored pencils from our art drawer, fresh eggs from a violin student and a mini teacup. Beauty in the everyday.


Happy Friday everyone! I hope you have a beautiful weekend!



linking with Random 5 Friday and Beauty Observed
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20 comments:

  1. lissaJanuary 31, 2014 at 7:41 AM

    all beautiful things. everything has its own beauty if you just look. thanks for sharing these.

    have a great day.

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    Replies
    1. Jill FoleyJanuary 31, 2014 at 11:19 AM

      Thanks for stopping by, Lissa and I agree....there is beauty in everything.

      Delete
  2. Simply BethJanuary 31, 2014 at 10:46 AM

    All truly beautiful. Oh I keep feeling the nudge to sponsor with Compassion. Visiting from Beauty Observed.
    Blessings,
    Beth

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    Replies
    1. Jill FoleyJanuary 31, 2014 at 11:18 AM

      Thanks for stopping by....if you have any questions about Compassion, feel free to ask me. I've been with them 19 years.

      Delete
  3. Morning gloryJanuary 31, 2014 at 11:40 AM

    Ah, I needed to see these simple reminders of beauty today. Thanks Jill!

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  4. Elizabeth EdwardsJanuary 31, 2014 at 12:27 PM

    one things i have always been blessed with is the ability to find beauty in all things. i have issues with other things ... that is not one. thankfully. why i love my hubby - i had a friend who didn't understand. some times you just don't get it ... & that is ok. some times you are not meant to. hope that makes sense?? it does to me. it's all good. ( :

    i love love, love the clay sculpture your girls made that is precious. so simple but so much love & creativity there. perfect!!

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    Replies
    1. Jill FoleyFebruary 1, 2014 at 10:12 AM

      I'm the kind of person that sees the glass half full - always looking for the positive. I hope to pass this perspective on to my daughters.

      I love the sculpture, too. She is a creative one!

      Delete
  5. ElizabethJanuary 31, 2014 at 12:51 PM

    Love all the beauty you found!!

    That second bird photo is amazing! I'm not fast enough or quiet enough to get the birds at our feeder.

    Thanks so much for linking up today at Beauty Observed!

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    1. Jill FoleyFebruary 1, 2014 at 10:12 AM

      I actually took that photo from inside. I have learned that when I go outside, I scare them away.

      Delete
  6. Edsel OliveiraJanuary 31, 2014 at 1:14 PM

    Great post and nice pictures.
    How do you keep the squirrels out of your bird feeder?
    Thanks.

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  7. IdaJanuary 31, 2014 at 2:16 PM

    Well this was a beautiful post from start to finish. I loved your Pastel's. Very soothing.
    Isn't it fun to watch children grow and change. Although sometimes I'd like to keep my little granddaughter a child for as long as I can. Of course we all know how that goes.

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    1. Jill FoleyFebruary 1, 2014 at 10:13 AM

      Thank you, Ida. Thanks for stopping by and for your kind, encouraging words.

      Delete
  8. elizabethJanuary 31, 2014 at 8:52 PM

    All of these things really are beautiful! Those bird photos are incredible!!!

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    1. Jill FoleyFebruary 1, 2014 at 10:13 AM

      Thanks, Elizabeth. I was pleasantly surprised to see the Northern Flicker in our backyard. This past summer we had quite a few hummingbirds, too. So fun.

      Delete
  9. NancyFebruary 1, 2014 at 10:08 AM

    You managed to find much beauty -- even in January! Loved the pastels. Just gorgeous!

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    1. Jill FoleyFebruary 1, 2014 at 10:14 AM

      Thanks, Nancy! I had fun putting that pastel collage together.

      Delete
  10. AmandaFebruary 1, 2014 at 7:42 PM

    You found lots of beauty!!! :) The first photo - perfect! That is the greatest beauty. Love all of your pictures, especially the pastels, gorgeous collage!! Have a beautiful weekend my friend!

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  11. Sarah HuizengaFebruary 2, 2014 at 8:56 AM

    Great finds. It is so good to let them do for themselves. The only way they will learn and grow. I like your instagram challenges.

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